10.4k Likes, 85 Comments – Ryan Mason (@ryan8mason) on Instagram: “Words can’t explain how devastated I am to hear the news of Ugo. He had a huge influence on the…”

“I probably played more games with Ugo than anybody else in my career and while in many ways he was a gentle giant away from football, he was a colossus on the pitch. It felt like a true partnership with Ugo because we were prepared to put our bodies on the line for each other .

One of my East London mates of old.Ugo Ehiogu true defender my heart goes out to his family. I just can't believe it! pic.twitter.com/4DSrltEGlB

“We shared highs, lows and won a couple of trophies together with Villa and Boro and it’s those memories that I will always cherish when I think of Ugo.

“He was one of the most professional people I played with in terms of how he applied himself to his job and it was great to see him progressing though the coaching pathway with that thirst for learning.

Ehiogu began his career as a trainee at West Brom before he was taken to Villa by Ron Atkinson in 1991. He went on to feature in more than 300 matches for Villa and played in their FA Cup final defeat against Chelsea in 2000.

He won the League Cup with Villa in 1994 and 1996 and former team-mate Andy Townsend told Radio 5: “I remember the 3-0 win over Leeds (in 1996) and I looked at the pictures this morning. Ugo is in them celebrating.

“He was commanding and formidable in the air. He was a player that every team would have liked at the back.”

Ehiogu joined Middlesbrough for a then club-record £8million fee later that year, and in 2001 he scored his only goal for England in Sven Goran-Eriksson’s first game in charge, a 3-0 friendly victory against Spain.

Villa released a statement expressing their sadness and added that there would be a minute’s applause ahead of their derby with Birmingham on Sunday, with the teams wearing black armbands.

Boro said they were “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing” and Mark Schwarzer, who played with Ehiogu at the Riverside, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He loved the game and he was really respected at Tottenham. It was a pleasure to play with him.”

MFC are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our former player Ugo Ehiogu. Our thoughts go out to Ugo's friends and family. pic.twitter.com/GDz8lqJJFF

Arsene Wenger speaks to Des Kelly after Arsenal's goalless draw with West Ham at the London ...

Arsene Wenger speaks to Des Kelly after Arsenal's goalless draw with West Ham at the London Stadium and blames fatigue a...

Arsene Wenger speaks to Des Kelly after Arsenal's goalless draw with West Ham at the London St...

Arsene Wenger speaks to Des Kelly after Arsenal's goalless draw with West Ham at the London Stadium and blames fatigue after a three day turnaround from their last Premier League match, for their inability to break the Hammers down.

Arsene Wenger speaks to Des Kelly after Arsenal's goalless draw with West Ham at the London Stadium and blames fatigue after a three day turnaround from their last Premier League match, for their inability to break the Hammers down.

Arsene Wenger speaks to Des Kelly after Arsenal's goalless draw with West Ham at the London Stadium and blames fatigue after a three day turnaround from their last Premier League match, for their inability to break the Hammers down.